HC Deb 11 June 1953 vol 516 cc436-7
25. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what revised terms he will renew the agreement with the United States of America relating to the import of American films.

Mr. P. Thomeycroft

The Anglo-American Film Agreement runs till 30th September of this year. The arrangements after that date will be the subject of discussion between the parties later this year. I cannot say in advance of those discussions what proposals may be made by either of the parties to the Agreement.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Not having had very good value from this very substantial dollar expenditure in the past, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the forthcoming negotiations with the idea of not wasting dollars we have not got on films we can very well do without.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that the actual dollar outgoings were reduced from $25 million to $20 million in agreement with the Americans only recently.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

It is still too much.